People > Our People > John and Elizabeth Walker
John and Elizabeth Walker
Johannes Wacker was born on July 14, 1882, in Norka, Saratov, Russia. He is the son of Johannes Wacker (1855-1927) and Christina Schnell (1855-1927).
Johannes married Elisabeth Weitzel in Norka on October 1, 1901. She was born on February 7, 1883, in Norka, the daughter of Johannes Weitzel (1853-1938) and Catharina Pauly (1854-1933).
Two children were born in Russia: Amalia (1901) and Johannes (1903).
The Wackers made a decision to emigrate from Russia in 1904. The family departed from Norka and made the short journey to the city of Saratov, where they began traveling by train to the port of Bremen, Germany. In Bremen, they boarded the steamship Breslau on April 21, 1904, and arrived in Baltimore on May 5. The ship manifest indicates that they were going to meet Elisabeth's parents, who had migrated two years earlier and were already living in Portland.
Johannes married Elisabeth Weitzel in Norka on October 1, 1901. She was born on February 7, 1883, in Norka, the daughter of Johannes Weitzel (1853-1938) and Catharina Pauly (1854-1933).
Two children were born in Russia: Amalia (1901) and Johannes (1903).
The Wackers made a decision to emigrate from Russia in 1904. The family departed from Norka and made the short journey to the city of Saratov, where they began traveling by train to the port of Bremen, Germany. In Bremen, they boarded the steamship Breslau on April 21, 1904, and arrived in Baltimore on May 5. The ship manifest indicates that they were going to meet Elisabeth's parents, who had migrated two years earlier and were already living in Portland.
Three daughters joined the family before the 1910 U.S. Census: Anna (born 1905), Margaret (born 1907), and Laura (born 1909).
By 1910, the family was living at 790 East 11th North (now 3728 NE 11th Avenue) in Portland. Johannes, now using the anglicized name John Walker Jr., was working as a teamster for a lumber company. John's parents, who arrived in Portland in 1906, lived in the same house. Six of John's siblings were also living in Portland.
Seven more children were born between 1910 and 1922: Henry (1911), Clarence (1912), Freda (born 1914), Lydia (born 1916), Edna (born 1918), Walter (born 1920), and Ellen (born 1922).
The Walkers were members of the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church.
In 1920, the family was living at 842 East 12th North (now 3968 NE 12th Avenue), and John worked at the shipyard as a bolter. The U.S. Census indicates that John, Elizabeth, and the two children born in Russia became naturalized citizens in 1911.
Both of John's parents died in the summer of 1927 and were buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
John started an independent garbage collection business before 1930. His son, Henry, was working with him at the time of the 1930 U.S. Census.
By 1910, the family was living at 790 East 11th North (now 3728 NE 11th Avenue) in Portland. Johannes, now using the anglicized name John Walker Jr., was working as a teamster for a lumber company. John's parents, who arrived in Portland in 1906, lived in the same house. Six of John's siblings were also living in Portland.
Seven more children were born between 1910 and 1922: Henry (1911), Clarence (1912), Freda (born 1914), Lydia (born 1916), Edna (born 1918), Walter (born 1920), and Ellen (born 1922).
The Walkers were members of the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church.
In 1920, the family was living at 842 East 12th North (now 3968 NE 12th Avenue), and John worked at the shipyard as a bolter. The U.S. Census indicates that John, Elizabeth, and the two children born in Russia became naturalized citizens in 1911.
Both of John's parents died in the summer of 1927 and were buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
John started an independent garbage collection business before 1930. His son, Henry, was working with him at the time of the 1930 U.S. Census.
John Walker at work on his collection route. Courtesy of Bruce Walker.
Elizabeth's mother died in 1933, and her father in 1938. Both were buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
By 1940, John and Elizabeth were living at 3966 NE 11th, and he continued in the garbage collection business. John's son, Walter (known as "Bud"), was working with his father and brother. In 1950, Bud later bought his own garbage business in Tillamook.
By 1940, John and Elizabeth were living at 3966 NE 11th, and he continued in the garbage collection business. John's son, Walter (known as "Bud"), was working with his father and brother. In 1950, Bud later bought his own garbage business in Tillamook.
The John and Elizabeth Walker family in 1942. Courtesy of Bruce Walker.
John, Elizabeth, and their daughters, Lydia, Edna, and Ellen, were living together at the home on NE 11th at the time of the 1950 U.S. Census. John had retired from the garbage business.
Elizabeth died on February 7, 1954, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
John died a few years later on February 9, 1957. He was buried beside his wife, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth died on February 7, 1954, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
John died a few years later on February 9, 1957. He was buried beside his wife, Elizabeth.
Sources
U.S. Census Lists, Oregon Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, Ship Departure and Arrival Manifests, Find-A-Grave Records - Ancestry.com
Norka database
PastPortland.com
Norka database
PastPortland.com
Last updated June 1, 2025